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No Erling Haaland, no problem! Mateo Kovacic reveals what Man City must do in absence of 19-goal striker.
In Erling Haaland’s absence, the 19-goal striker for Manchester City, Mateo Kovacic, has disclosed what he expects from every member of the team.
The defending champions defeated Luton 2-1 on Sunday, but they did so without their injured top scorer, who is presently recovering from a stress fracture in his foot. Kovacic, though, is not very worried since he thinks the team can continue winning games if each player steps up their game while important guys are out.
Speaking to reporters, Kovacic said: “Obviously we missed key players like Erling and Kevin [De Bruyne], it’s never easy when you miss such big players.
“But they are not in the moment here, we need everybody to give 10, 20 per cent more like we did (on Sunday) and then we can win games.”
City’s Premier League winless run of four games—three draws, one defeat, and one tie against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham—was snapped with the victory against Luton. Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva, who scored in the second half to seal the much-needed victory at Kenilworth Park, played crucial parts in the turnaround in the absence of Haaland, De Bruyne, and Jeremy Doku.
“The team was confident because we were playing good,” said Kovacic. “We had not bad results, some draws where we could have won. This is football sometimes, then it’s about how you come back. Today we came back in a good way. A big three points. We showed overall great football, especially in the first half we played very well, we found a lot of players in the pockets which is what we want. When you do your thing and insist, the goals come. We could have scored even more, but I’m happy with the three points.”
Alf Inge Haaland sold his son in the Fantasy Premier League, which has led to speculation that Haaland may be sidelined for an extended period of time.
Pep Guardiola may rest several of his key players against Red Star in the Champions League, given that they have already qualified for the knockout stage as group leaders.
With the teams above them not playing until Sunday, all eyes will be on their next Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace on Saturday. A win against the Londoners might move them within a point of league leaders Liverpool.